Seal for ink housings of printing presses



Jan. 26, 1937.

A. BEHRINGER SEAL FOR INK HOUSINGS OF PRINTING PRESSES Filed Sept. 9, 1935 4 TTO NEYS Patented Jan. 26, 1937 SEAL FOR INK HOUSINGS OF PRINTING PRESSES Alfred Behringer, Corona, N. Y., assignor to Speedry Gravure Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 15 Claims.

The present invention relates to sealing structures for the ink housings of printing presses and embodies, more particularly, an improved seal for use in connection with ink housings of printing presses using high volatile inks wherein it is desired to close the housing effectively and prevent the loss of the volatilized ink solvent from the housing during printing operations.

Ink housings for printing presses have heretofore been provided wherein sealing members are provided between the stationary housing portions, the rotating printing cylinder, and the reciprocating doctor. It has been found that an objectionable leak occurs in these housings at the endsof the cylinder, between the end seals provided to seal the space between the stationary housing end walls and the end of the cylinder, circumferentially thereof from the doctor to the sealing means upon the side of the cylinder opposite thereto. This leak occurs by reason of the fact that the doctor must reciprocate in a direction parallel to the axis of the cylinder. The cylinderend seals above referred to, therefore, cannot be made sufiiciently long, circum- 25 ferentially of the cylinder, to interfere with the means is provided for sealing the space between the cylinder, stationary housing and sealing structure ,and movable elements coacting therewith to form an enclosed housing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device by means of which the space between the end seals and the reciprocating doctor of presses having enclosed housings may be effectively sealed.

A further object of the invention is to provide. in combination with the above features, a device which will accommodate cylinders of varying sizes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character wherein the sealing means automatically finds its own sealing position and maintains itself in such position during operation of the press without subjecting 9, 1935, Serial No. 39,717 (o1. 101 157) any moving or stationary part thereof \to objectionable wear or stress.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sealing device of the above character wherein the device is mounted in such fashion that it will, in effect, float with suflicient bias to a sealing position that effective sealing of the housing is assured under all conditions.

A-further object of the invention is to provide, in combination with a sealing device of the above character, a means by which ink which has been thrown centrifugally from the cylinder end or axle may be directed away from the bearings, thus preventing loss by reason of such action.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is described in i'urther detail in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a view taken transversely through the doctor mechanism of a printing press and showing the end seal and sealing mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention, the printing cylinder being indicated in dot and dash lines;

Figure 2 is a view in section, taken on the line 2- 2 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a view in section, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 and looking in the direc tion of the arrows; and

Figure 4 is a. view in section, taken on the line 44 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows. I

With reference to the accompanying drawing, a printing cylinder 10 is shown as provided with a shaft H which may be suitably journaled in supporting structure in a well known fashion. Inasmuch as these details constitute no part of the present invention, they are not shown specifically in the drawing and only so much of the stationary ink housing is shown as will be necessary to understand the invention. Accordingly, the end wall of the ink housing, within which the cylinder I0 is received, is shown at l2 and is provided with an end plate l3 havinga circumferential flange I4 upon which an end seal I5 is 1 mounted. .The end seal I5 is preferably made of very thin steel, similar in material to doctor blades, and preferably riveted to the flange I4 as indicated at Hi. The end plate l3, in accordance with'present practice, is provided with a lower circular flange I! which has heretofore been for the purpose of preventing ink from falling upon the shaft H 'from the end plate 43..

.I9. I The blades I9, 20 and 2| may be secured in suitable holders in accordance with present .practice and the specific mounting structure for these elements will not be shown and described in further detail herein.

From Figure 1 it will be readily apparent that the space between .the end of the end seal I8 and the adjacent portion of the doctor blade is necessary in order to provide for the reciprocation of the doctor without interference from the end seal. This space, however, constitutes an objectionable leak through which volatilized ink solvent escapes and, in accordance with the present invention, it is proposed to provide a seal by means of which such space may be effectively closed. Accordingly, the housing end wall or an extension thereof may be provided with a bracket 24 which may be adjustably secured thereon as, for example, by means of a guide way or similar device 25 in which the bracket 24 may be adjustably secured. The bracket 24 preferably is formed with parallel vertical walls 26 and 21 and longitudinal walls 28 and 29. Between walls 28 and 29 a hinge pin 30 is adapted to be mounted in order that a link 3| may be pivoted thereon. The hinge pin 30 may be inserted in position through the wall 29 before the bracket has been mounted upon the end wall 12, thus being effectively secured in position as long as the bracket is mounted on the end wall.

The other end of link 3| has pivoted thereto an arm 32 by means of a pivot shaft 33. The lower end of arm 32 terminates in a sealing shoe 34 having an edge 35 which is adapted to rest upon the adjacent portion of the edge of the doctor blade IS. The bottom surface 36 of the shoe 34 is preferably curved upon a radius about the hingepin 33, the length of the arm 32 being such as to cause the curvature of surface 36 to be such that the surface contacts with the adjacent end I8 of the end seal 4 5, at the same time causing the edge 35 of the shoe 34 to remain in engagement with the wiping edge of the doctor I 9 and the part of the surface 36 between the doctor and the end l3 to lie in close proximity to and substantially in contact with. the surface of the printing cylinder.

A light leaf spring 31, the tension of which may be adjusted by a set screw 38, may be provided to load the lever 32 sufliciently to cause the same to be biased toward the adjacent edge of the doctor l9. In order that the seal may be prevented from dropping too low, a stop 39 is formed on the link 3| and adapted to engage the wall 26, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. The vertical position of the bracket 24 may be adjusted by means of a vertical set screw 46 which may be mounted in the end wall l2 by means of a collar 4|.

As shown in Figure 1, the adjacent edge of the end plate slopes at 42 and the curvature of the surface 36 is such as to clear this portion of the end plate. It is further contemplated that the leaf spring 3'! be lighter than the sealing plate 2|, resulting in a partial counterbalance of the forces on the end of the doctor by reason of the pressure of the sealing blade and the arm 32.

It is further contemplated, in accordance with the present invention, to provide a means by which the ink thrown centrifugally from the end of the cylinder and the shaft ll may be returned effectively to the housing and main-. tained away from the journal of the shaft H. Accordingly, a shield 43 is secured to the end plate l3 and formed with a curved surface 44 which curves inwardly toward the end of the cylinder from its lower portion 45 to its upper portion 46. As a result, ink thrown from the shaft II by reason of its rotation is deflected by the curved surface 44 from the end 46 and falls into the housing'rather than escaping along the shaft II and to the bearings thereof.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a device has been provided for effectively sealing the space between the ends of the end seals adjacent the doctor and the adjacent portions of the doctor. The device not only maintains itself effectively in its sealing position but accommodates varying sizes of cylinders and functions effectively during operation regardless of cylinder size.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to the construction shown in the accompanying drawing, it is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a housing for a printing cylinder, a doctor and a. cylinder end seal mounted on the housing, and means exteriorly of the housing and between the doctor and end seal to seal the end seal to the doctor to prevent the escape of the volatile ingredients of ink from the housing. 2. In combination with a housing for a printing cylinder, a doctor and a cylinder end seal mounted on the housing, means to seal the end seal to the doctor to prevent the escape of the volatile ingredients of ink from the housing, and means separate from the doctor to mount the last named seal movably on the housing to permit motion of the last named seal with respect to the doctor.

3. In combination with a housing for a printing cylinder, a doctor and a cylinder end seal mounted on the housing, means exteriorly of the housing and between the doctor and end seal to seal the end seal to the doctor to prevent, the escape of the volatile ingredients of ink from the housing, and means to urge the last named seal yieldingly toward the doctor.

4. In combination with a housing for a printing cylinder, a doctor and a cylinder end seal mounted on the housing, means to seal the end seal tothe doctor to prevent the escape of the volatile ingredients of in]; from the housing, and means to mount the last named seal with provision for movement radially and circumferentially.

5. In combination with a housing for a printing cylinder, a doctor and a cylinder end seal mounted on the housing, means to seal the end seal to the doctor to prevent the escape of the volatile ingredients of ink from the housing, a bracket adapted to be mountedon the housing, and means to mount the last named means on the bracket with provision for movement radially and circumferentially.

6. In combination with a housing for a printing cylinder, a doctor and a cylinder end seal mounted on the housing, means to seal the end 76 seal to the doctor to prevent the escape of the volatile ingredients of ink from the housing, a bracket adapted to be mounted on the housing, a link pivoted on the bracket, and an arm pivoted on the link and carrying the last named sealing means.

7. In combination with a housing for a printing cylinder, a doctor and a cylinder end seal mounted on the housing, means to seal the end seal to the doctor to prevent the escape of the volatile ingredients of ink from the housing, a bracket adapted to be'mounted on the housing, a link pivoted on the bracket, an arm pivoted on the link and carrying the last named sealing means, and a spring between the arm and bracket to urge the last named sealing means toward the doctor.

8. In combination with a housing for a printing cylinder, a doctor and a cylinder end seal mounted on the housing, means to seal the end seal to the doctor to prevent the escape of the volatile ingredients of ink from'the housing, a bracket adapted to be mounted on the housing, a link pivoted on the bracket, an arm pivoted on the link and carrying the last named sealing means, a stop on the bracket to limit movement of the arm, and a spring between the arm and bracket to urge the last named sealing means toward the doctor.

9. In combination with ahousing for a printing cylinder, a doctor and a cylinder end seal mounted on the housing, means to seal the end seal to the doctor to prevent the escape of the volatile ingredients of ink from the housing, a bracket adapted to be mounted on the housing, a link pivoted on the bracket, an arm pivoted on the link and carrying the last named sealing means, a stop between the bracket and link to limit movement of the arm, and a spring between the arm and bracket to urge the last named sealing means toward the doctor.

10. In combination with a housing for a printing cylinder, a doctor and a cylinder end seal mounted on the housing, the end of the end seal adjacent the doctor being circumferentially spaced from the doctor to permit unrestricted reciprocation of the doctor, a sealing device, and means to maintain the last named device in sealing proximity to the doctor and the adjacent end of the end seal.

11. In combination with a housing for a printing cylinder, a doctor and a cylinder end seal mounted on the housing, the end of the end seal adjacent the doctor being circumferentially spaced from the doctor to permit unrestricted reciprocation of the doctor, a sealing device having a curved surface adapted to cooperate with the end seal and adjacent cylinder portion, and means to maintain the last named device in sealing proximity to the doctor and the adjacent end of the end seal.

12. In combination with a housing for a printing cylinder, a doctor and a cylinder end seal mounted on the housing, the end of the end seal adjacent the doctor being circumferentially spaced from the doctor to permit unrestricted reciprocation of the doctor, a sealing device having a curved surface adapted to cooperate with the end seal and adjacent cylinder portion, an edge adapted to engage the adjacent portion of the doctor, and means to maintain the last named device in sealing proximity to the doctor and the adjacent end of the end seal.

13. In combination with a housing for a printing cylinder, a doctor and a cylinder end seal mounted on the housing, the end of the end seal adjacent the doctor being-spaced from the doctor to permit unrestricted reciprocation of the doctor, a sealing blade beneath the doctor and yieldingly engaging the same, a sealing device, and means to maintain the last named device in sealing proximity to the doctor and the adjacent end of the end seal.

14. In combination with a housing for a printing cylinder, a doctor and a cylinder end-seal mounted on the housing, and a deflector mounted on the end of the housing and having a deflecting surface lying at an angle to the axis of the cylinder to deflect ink moving axially away from the cylinder inwardly to prevent ink from moving away from the end of the cylinder.

15. In combination with a housing for a print ing cylinder having a supporting shaft received in an end wall of the housing, a deflector on an end wall of the housing, and a curved extension on the deflector to catch ink thrown centrifugally from the shaft and return the same to the bottom of the housing.

ALFRED BEHRINGER. 

